Celebrating the Legacy of World War II Nisei Military Service and Encouraging Future Military and Public Service

The Japanese American Veterans Association (JAVA) announces its annual scholarship award program for 2017. The scholarships will continue to benefit a range of graduating high school seniors, advanced undergraduate students, and postgraduate and professional education students. Click here for an overview of the application requirements and process.

The scholarships include the memorial scholarship honoring the late US Senator Daniel K. Inouye’s iconic career of military and civilian public service, the Founders Scholarship (named for JAVA’s founder, the late Colonel Phil Ishio, USAR, his wife Constance and his son Douglas Ishio), as well as other JAVA memorial scholarships each in the amount of $1,500.

Descendants of those who served in the 100th Battalion, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the Military Intelligence Service as well as descendants of World War II Nisei soldiers from other units are eligible. Only in the case of the Senator Inouye scholarship will applications also be accepted from any past or present member of Hawaii’s 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry. A current member of JAVA whose membership began prior to April 1, 2015 is eligible to apply. A child of a current JAVA member may also be eligible to apply if the applicant’s parent or guardian was a member of JAVA prior to April 1, 2015.

Special consideration will be given to eligible applicants who demonstrate their lifelong commitment to public and uniformed service leadership for the nation, e.g., participating in military commissioning programs while in college.

Applicants should first review published rules and forms here before making further inquiries. The final date for receiving applications will be Monday, May 15, 2017. The names of the awardees will be announced at the annual JAVA scholarship luncheon in July 2017.